Sports

When the NBA came calling, St. Cloud State Assistant Men's Basketball Coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah was quick to answer.

Abdelfattah has accepted a Player Development/Assistant Coach position with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the G-League Affiliate of the NBA's Houston Rockets.

The Rio Grande Valley Vipers play their home games in Hidalgo, Texas, and have been affiliated with the Rockets from the start of the 2009-10 season. The team went 32-18 in 2016-17 and lost the 2017 Finals in three games to the Raptors 905.

"This is a great opportunity for me to learn and grow, not only as a coach, but also as an individual. I'm looking forward to working with the RGV Vipers!" Abdelfattah said.

Abdelfattah, known endearingly to many as "Coach A", has long been a staple of Men's Basketball at Halenbeck Hall. He played from 2006 to 2008 at Wilbur Wright College, and was named the Region MVP and a Second Team All-American in 2008. Abdelfattah then transferred to St. Cloud State, playing his final two years in the Huskies backcourt. His senior season saw the Huskies make an NCAA DII Elite Eight appearance. He began his coaching career as a student assistant coach during the 2010-11 season, followed by an assistant coaching stint with Perspective Charter School. Coach A returned to SCSU as an assistant coach in 2013-14. He has spent the past four seasons on the Huskies coaching staff, with the team going 70-50 over the 120 game span. One of his primary responsibilities was on the recruiting field, where he helped SCSU land Illinois prep stars Gage Davis and Mark Hall.

"I'm thankful for my time at SCSU, and wouldn't change a thing. I've learned a lot from the coaching staff, players, and everyone involved in the SCSU Athletic Department. They allowed me to be myself." Abdelfattah said.

SCSU Head Coach Matt Reimer spoke very highly of Abdelfattah’s time with the Huskies.

"I'm so excited for him, he's going to do great things. One day we'll say 'Hey, we knew him' when he's coaching in the NBA." said Reimer.

Abdelfattah was sure to thank two off-court influences from his time at St. Cloud State.

“I want to thank Carley Jeffery for being a great friend and office-mate. She’s taught me a lot during our time together. I also want to thank Dawn Schenk for always being there for me. There aren't enough words to explain how grateful I am for the support she’s given me over the last decade. Once a Husky, always a Husky!”